Genre

This Is: Pop*Star*Kids

AllMusic Review
by Daisy Ridge

The debut album from New York City's quirky pOp*stAr*kiDs is a refreshing gem. Recording as a duo, band members Andee and Anthony produced and performed the album themselves, playing all the instruments and programming all the electronic parts. The result is a highly infectious, unapologetically buoyant set of short pop songs that rely on big guitars, dance beats, vintage synthesizer effects, and the unusual voice of Andee. The material recalls such disparate influences as the Cure, Daft Punk, Jane's Addiction, the B-52s, and even Prince. This Is: Pop*Star*Kids, released independently on the band's Playground imprint, was a college radio success in 2000, charting on CMJ's Top 200 for nine weeks, and the song "Break Yr Bones" was featured on MTV's animated Daria series. Early releases of the CD came with a printed "manifesto" from the idealistic band promoting individualism and nonconformity. Followed by the equally good The Rise and Fall of pOp*stAr*kiDs in 2001.